France Detains 24 in Explosive Crypto Kidnapping Plots

A string of violent abduction attempts targeting crypto elites has rocked France, sparking national security concerns and urgent industry warnings.

France Charges 24 in Multi-Million Euro Crypto Kidnapping Conspiracy

French authorities disclosed Tuesday that 24 individuals have been arrested this week in connection with a series of attempted kidnappings targeting high-profile figures in the cryptocurrency sector, AFP reported, citing an unnamed source close to the case. The operations, carried out by France’s organized crime office, were linked to three separate plots—two in Paris and one in the western region near Nantes. Officials confirmed that the suspects were detained on different occasions, shedding light on an increasingly dangerous trend for digital asset entrepreneurs in the country.

Among the incidents investigated was the May 1 abduction of the father of a crypto-millionaire in Paris. The man was seized by four masked assailants in front of witnesses and forced into a van, sustaining injuries in the process. His captors demanded several million euros in ransom before French police raided a house in Essonne on May 3 and secured his release. Six people have been charged in relation to this case.

Another dramatic attempt occurred on May 13 when the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, chief executive of cryptocurrency exchange Paymium, narrowly escaped a kidnapping in Paris. The attack gained widespread attention after videos appeared on social media. Authorities confirmed that all individuals involved in that attempt were arrested. A third plot was intercepted just before it was carried out on May 26 in the Nantes area, although officials have not revealed details about the intended victims or the circumstances.

These revelations follow the Jan. 21 kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of crypto firm Ledger. Balland was mutilated during his abduction, and his partner was found tied in a car trunk before their release. At least nine suspects have been charged in this case.

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